Buying state pension top-ups: Everything you need to know – This is Money’s latest coverage
A crucial deadline to fill gaps in state pension records and boost your payments is looming on 5 April.
A special offer allows people to buy missing years as far back as 2006, but soon you will only be able to backdate six years.
Most people can use an online tool or the HMRC app to buy state pension top-ups, but if you think you will struggle to take advantage of the deal in time there are two ways to beat the deadline.
First, lodge a callback request to discuss a top-up purchase by 5 April and save a screenshot of the confirmation message – even if the call comes after that date, you can still benefit from the offer.
Second, log into your National Insurance record and click on ‘view details’ on years from 2006/07 to 2016/17 you might want to buy – that will automatically get you another month to pay.
Unfortunately handing over cash isn’t the end of it, because readers continue to contact us about long waits for payments to be processed. If your money is missing, write to pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk.
On this page, you can keep up with all our latest stories and guides to help you check if it is worth buying top-ups and sort out your payment in time.
> Savers say state pension top-ups are stuck in system for months – as deadline on special deal looms
> How to top up your state pension to boost retirement income… plus Steve Webb’s six golden rules